Unique things to do in Philly for Valentine’s Day

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Concourse

Valentine’s Luxury Hotel and Dinner Package

Why not turn your romantic holiday plans into an overnight retreat? Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square, part of AccorHotels, is offering Philly sweethearts a private luxury dinner for two in their own hotel room. The three-course dinner menu consists of different sweet and savory choices including crispy oysters, snow crab and truffle bisque, pan-roasted halibut, filet mignon, a chocolate tasting plate and more. The overnight luxury stay also comes with breakfast for two the following morning, plus a 20% discount on valet for Valentine’s Day. Philadelphians can book the room of their choice for this experience online with availability on Sat. Feb 13. and Sunday, Feb. 14. 

120 S. 17th St., sofitel-philadelphia.com

Sofitel

Sleeping Beauty Family Brunch

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be spent with those you love, so why not celebrate with the whole family? According to a release, this socially distanced magical dining experience includes 90 minutes in a private heated igloo or a completely covered outdoor table for you and your immediate family members and will be full of photo opportunities, songs from the princess, and a grand entrance. Each reservation comes with a private visit from the princess, a souvenir, and princess-themed activity sheets. Tickets are $15/per person for igloo seating and $5/per person for outdoor seating without the igloo. Food and drink are pay-as-you-go. As a special bonus, a portion of each ticket will go to charity and provide a free princess appearance for children in need through the Salvation Army. Time slots are available for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13. 

Germantown Garden Grille, 1029 Germantown Ave., germantowngarden.com

Back to the Future Theme Night and Beer Release

Why not do something truly one-of-a-kind this year for Valentine’s Day? Evil Genius Beer Company will be hosting a special themed night in honor of their new beer release, “Marty, whatever happens, don’t ever go to 2020.” Four Humors Distilling will present a Cafe 80’s Speakeasy-themed vending area for the event, and Evil Genius will also be providing food truck specials, drink specials and futuristic fun in their Beer Garden. Live music will be provided by Tom Curtis from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and guests can dress in your best 80s gear (which includes a mask) to enter to win a prize. This event will take place Saturday, Feb. 13, from noon to 8 p.m. 

1727 N. Front St., evilgeniusbeer.com

Evil Genius Beer Company

Valentine’s Boxing for Two 

Valentine’s Day can get sweaty….especially if you go for a couple’s workout class. Maleek Jackson’s Fitness Boxing Gym is hosting a special class for the romantic holiday, and couples can head to this Northern Liberties fitness center for a special class for $125 a pair with five class times to pick from from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Only 20 slots are available for this particular class, and interested parties can email [email protected] to sign-up and for inquiries.

926 N. 2nd St., maleekjacksonfitness.com

Citywide Dinner and Virtual Opera Show

Why not have dinner and a show? This Valentine’s Day, East Passyunk Opera Project (ePOP) is teaming up with Pistola’s del Sur, Sancho Pistola’s and Jose Pistola’s for Love Notes, a special three-course dinner and virtual concert taking place over Valentine’s Day Weekend. According to a release, the dinner and concert will feature performances by Philadelphia-based opera singers Ashley Marie Robillard, soprano, and Joshua Blue, tenor. The real-life couple will perform safely from their home in South Philly while being accompanied by pianist Aurelien Eulert. In addition, several prominent opera singers will make guest appearances throughout the concert, including Anthony Roth Costanzo, Sandra Piques Eddy, Joélle Harvey and her husband Alex Fletcher, Zachary James, and Will Liverman. The show will be accompanied by the meal, which was created by Pistola’s Executive Chef Adan Trinidad. Love Notes runs Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 14, and food is available for pick-up or delivery. The virtual concert premieres on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and the link is live for ticket holders all weekend long. Tickets are $75 which includes a three-course dinner for two and performance, or $95 for the three-course dinner for two, drink pairing for two and performance.

Various locations, pistolaslife.com

Pistolas

Cooking Classes and Demos for Two

Hudson table has a variety of different cooking classes that couples can take if they like to turn up the heat in the kitchen together. Philadelphians and their special someones can participate in either a hands-on dumpling making class making doughs and fillings, and practicing the techniques of wrapping various dumpling styles; an Italian-styled cooking class where you’ll learn to make staples like Saltimbocca and Bolognese; a brunch class where you’ll take on classic and unique dishes; and a “couples night out steak frites” experience where you’ll feel like you’re transported right into the middle of a French bistro. If you’d rather just eat instead of cook, Hudson Table is also offering a four-course meal coordinated by Chef Flesch for Valentine’s Day as well. 

1001 N. 2nd St., hudsontable.com

Private Dinner in a Wine Cellar for Two

Now, this is luxurious. According to a release, for the first time ever, Caffe Aldo Lamberti is opening up their Tuscan Wine Cellar for an exclusive Valentine’s dinner and wine experience for two. The entire wine cellar, normally reserved for group events, can now be yours for you and your sweetheart to enjoy exclusively and privately complete with candlelight and rose petals. Guests can enjoy the finest wines, signature seafood and pastas, Valentine’s specials and decadent desserts — all while the staff cater to your every need. This special wine cellar experience has a 2.5 hour maximum time per reservation with a very select number of reservations are available for Valentine’s weekend. If you would like to enjoy Valentine’s Day with your family or another couple, additional chairs can be added (per state/local guidelines). This exclusive experience can be booked with a room fee of $200, plus food and drink.

2011 Marlton Pike W., Cherry Hill, caffelamberti.com

Fire and Ice Valentine’s Experience

Concourse Dance Bar was transformed into an interactive dining experience late last year, and for Valentine’s Day, guests can really experience it all. For this particular experience, guests can check out the city’s only ice bar, listen to love anthems through a light show, plus sip on three cocktails while munching on three small plates. Concourse Ice Bar’s Valentine’s Weekend experience is only $32.50 (plus tax and tip) per person and will be available Friday, Feb. 12 to Saturday, Feb. 13, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. 

concoursedancebar.com

Chocolate and Beer Event

Designed for two, this experience involves Arch Street Meeting House staff and volunteers creating an amazing, personalized experience by hand-delivering your valentine’s treats the day before the event. Tickets include a variety of craft beer from Conshohocken Brewing Company, Duclaw Brewing Company, and Breckinridge Brewing Company, as well as candies from the Quaker-founded, Cadbury Chocolates. For an added bonus, VIP ticket holders will also receive additional chocolates from Shane Confectionery, America’s oldest continuously operating confectionary shop that’s located right here in the city. This 30-minute hosted tasting will take place prior to a 45-minute presentation from Dr. Katherine Turner. Tickets are $50 general admission, $60 VIP admission, priced for two people. If you are outside of this delivery radius and interested in this event, you may also arrange a pickup from Arch Street Meeting House.

320 Arch St., historicasmh.org